Wireless earbuds, grounded after weeks of rigorous testing

A pair of smart headphones can absolutely replace your dates with music, highlighting the main points of a song that you may not have heard before. Wireless headphones also go a step further, employing noise-canceling generation to eliminate the overall noise around you. After trying more than two dozen other pairs, I chose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones as my pick among the most productive wireless headphones overall.

I tested more than 30 of the most popular wireless earbuds, ranging in value from $60 to $700. The ultimate goal was to find the most productive wireless earbuds for each use, taking into account sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, additional features, and much more.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are awesome, but they probably aren’t for everyone. Some people might prefer headphones, in which case the Nothing Ear headphones are the way to go, while those who are deeply rooted in the Apple ecosystem might prefer the AirPods Max. I’ve also awarded other winners in categories like Best TV Headphones, Best Audiophile Headphones, and Best Headphones Under $100. Without further ado, these are the most productive wireless earbuds you can buy right now.

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For most people, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are the most productive wireless headphones available. Overall, they slightly outperformed the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, AirPods Max, and the new Sonos Ace headphones, but they finally got the name thanks. to their ultra-convenient compatibility and the fact that they offer the maximum productive asset. Noise cancellation (ANC) in the industry.

They sound wonderful too. They weren’t the best-sounding headphones I’ve tried, but I found them to sound a little more natural than the Sony WH-1000XM5. They offer deep and impressive bass, flat mids and just right details in the highs. -end for a pair of headphones in this price range. I also found that audiophile-oriented headphones like the Focal Bathys sounded better, as did the AirPods Max. And I wish Bose would put a little more effort into the app’s EQ, which is only three-band and poorly labeled, but the sound is wonderful right out of the box.

The black Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are trendy and offer active noise cancellation.

The noise-canceling generation here is more effective than that of any other pair of headphones. It’s not the quietest implementation of noise cancellation – there’s a background hiss when turned on, unlike headphones like the Sonos Ace, for example. However, it suppresses more noise than any other pair I’ve tried, and when you’re listening to audio, you can’t literally hear the hiss anyway.

In addition to their audio quality, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are the most comfortable pair I’ve ever tested. They’re not as soft as the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, but the padding and weight distribution on the sensitive top of the head seem more effective. All while providing a superior quality structure with premium fabrics and a design that folds for greater portability than most competitors.

When using them, store the earbuds in the included padded case.

Perhaps the biggest problem with these headphones is the battery life, which is a bit short. After 24 hours with ANC enabled, the earbuds possibly won’t last as long as the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Sonos Ace earbuds, and possibly won’t even come. near the Sennheiser Momentum 4 60-hour wireless earbuds. However, 24 hours is still not great and is a bit more than the 20-hour battery presented by the AirPods Max.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones support multipoint Bluetooth for up to two device connections and work with a relatively well-designed app; Again, I wish this app offered a better equalizer. Complete package, with quality sound, a comfortable fit and the most productive noise cancellation in its class, it doesn’t get any better than this today.

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The Nothing Ear was a wonderful choice for me, not because I doubted their quality, but because I wasn’t sure if they could compete with headphones twice as expensive. That’s right, they’re the best headphones for the price, they’re the most productive wireless headphones out there, period.

It all starts with the design. Sure, design is rarely as important as sound quality, for example, but it doesn’t hurt to make them look great. They have a stem design like the Apple AirPods Pro (second generation) and easy-to-use compression controls. . I prefer push-button controls to touch surfaces, and I don’t like that controlling a lot of headphones means having to put them in your ears. Compression controls save you this.

The shape of these headphones also contributes to their comfort. These are some of the maximum comfort headphones I’ve tried and used for hours without any problems. Not too many hours though: the earbuds have an uninterrupted battery life of just over five hours with ANC, which is on the low end. Most people don’t wear their headphones for five hours straight, but if you do, it’s probably not for you. (The case offers up to 24 hours of playback with ANC. )

Note the design of the Nothing Ear earbuds.

They also sound great and seamlessly rival the most productive headphones on the market. It’s not the pair of headphones that offers the most productive sound on the market, a name that goes to Denon PerL Pros. But they sound almost as smart as the apps have a complex equalizer that allows you to adjust the audio to your preferences. The app overall is well-designed, easy to use, and packed with useful features.

The Nothing Ear headphones have noise cancellation and are smart enough, but not as smart as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, Bose’s headphone option. And they don’t have very complex features like spatial audio with head tracking.

But the short battery life and lack of spatial audio are perhaps the only problem with these headphones, and all in all, they’re excellent. Between amazing sound, an ultra-comfortable fit, and a variety of extra features, the Nothing Ear headphones are the most productive headphones out there, costing just $149.

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Those looking for a pair of headphones to use with their TV could choose the Sonos Ace headphones.

However, there are some caveats in this regard. The Sonos Ace headphones are particularly suitable for those who own a Sonos Arc soundbar and will also work wonders with other Sonos soundbars. However, even without a Sonos soundbar, they still pair with a TV thanks to Bluetooth technology. And they sound wonderful with any TV, with just one outlet. If you own an Apple TV 4K, this is rarely the most productive option – AirPods Max are. This is because the AirPods Max will connect automatically. to your Apple TV and spatial audio with head tracking.

The Sonos Ace is a premium design.

But if you don’t have an Apple TV, the Sonos Ace headphones are the best option. Even when connected to your formula via a basic Bluetooth accessory (and not a Sonos Arc), the headphones track the head, so you can get an approximation of an immersive delight that sounds pretty good. If you own Sonos Arc, you can simply press and hold a button on the headphones to activate “TV Audio Swap” and connect it to your soundbar right away. It works perfectly and extends connectivity, even beyond the multipoint Bluetooth already integrated into the headset, which allows you to connect up to two devices.

Headphones have other benefits as well. While they don’t sound as smart as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, they still sound great. They incorporate forged noise-canceling technology, and while they’re not as effective as Bose headphones, they’re quieter and produce less hiss. Hopefully the Sonos app a little better: the built-in EQ is incredibly critical and some settings are missing, such as the ability to replace when spatial audio is on.

Sonos Ace in your case

These headphones also featured some of the most productive designs and build qualities of all the headphones I’ve tested, with stunning premium fabrics and a vintage look. In addition, they come with an ultra-sleek and narrow case, as well as a USB-C port. and a USB-C to 3. 5mm cable for listening to stressed music. They’re beloved headphones, of course, but if you need headphones that you can wear in your living room, the Sonos Ace headphones are a great choice, especially if you have a Sonos soundbar.

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We live in a world where the best wireless earbuds cost at least $350, which means that a pair that costs $200 can be considered “mid-range. “If you need cheaper headphones, read on to discover my selection. of the best budget hearing aids that charge less than $100. But if you’re looking for the best mid-range wireless earbuds that charge less than $200, the JBL Live 770NC earbuds may be for you.

To be clear, those earbuds don’t sound as smart as all the high-end features I’ve tested, and they’re not as comfortable either. They are not comfortable, but the weight distribution on the most sensitive part of the head can simply be larger and they have a stronger grip around the ears. In addition, they do not come with a hard case, just a comfortable bag that possibly does not protect them from more intense bumps and falls.

The JBL Live 770 NC headphones offer touch controls and a 3. 5 mm jack.

But they sound great, especially for headphones in this price range. They have very well-tuned mids and a solid bass response. The highs are detailed and crisp, offering an exciting audio experience. Even better? The app offers the most productive equalizer of any headphone app you’ve ever tried. It’s necessarily infinitely adjustable, allowing you to sculpt as detailed an EQ as you want. The app is generally intuitive, and the earbuds have all sorts of other features. , adding the ability to replace noise-canceling settings and spatial sound modes.

The earbuds also have exceptional battery life, longer than almost any and all of the high-end options I’ve reviewed. Battery life is 50 hours with noise cancellation enabled, more than double that of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones. These headphones are perfect, but they’re as close as you can get for under $200.

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If you’re looking for wireless earbuds that you can use primarily for sports and training, the Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds are my most sensible choice. They’re especially useful if you’re sweating a lot or committed enough to be running outside in the rain, thanks to the fact that they have an IP68 water resistance rating, meaning they can outlast other wireless earbuds.

To be clear, those who don’t particularly want headphones with a maximum point of water resistance can be fine with all sorts of other headphones, as long as they have proper compatibility. Personally, I use the AirPods Pro (second generation) either in life or to run out, as they have good compatibility and work well with my Apple Watch Ultra 2. But those in particular looking for paintless headphones that are a little more durable than the average pair will want to try the Jabra. Active Elite 8 headphones.

The Jabra Elite Active has been designed for training.

You may notice that the Elite 8 Active earbuds don’t have any kind of hook or wing for greater compatibility with your ears. This is one of the main reasons why they were almost surpassed by the Beats Fit Pro in this category. In the end, however, I found that they have good enough compatibility that they don’t fall off during strenuous movements, besides running. Your mileage can vary, and if you notice the headphones falling out of your ears, it might be worth opting for the Beats. Fit Pro. And it’s worth experimenting with the other ear tips that come in the box to find the ideal compatibility.

As well as better compatibility and water resistance, the Jabra Elite 8 Active headphones offer solid audio quality, with adequate high-end response and decent noise cancellation, although they’re not as smart as some of the more expensive options. They are also made from premium fabrics and support wireless charging. The battery life is also smart: it allows up to 8 hours of uninterrupted listening and the charging case provides an additional 24 hours, bringing the total battery life to 32 hours (with ANC). All of this adds up to make them the most productive workout headphones out there right now.

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If you’re an audiophile who needs a pair of wireless earbuds that prioritize audio above all else, the Focal Bathys earbuds have you covered. These headphones are expensive and their noise cancellation is just as smart as the competition, but they sound surely impressive.

This is to be expected from Focal, a long-standing audio company known for its high-end products. The headphones offer a rich, deep bass response, natural-sounding mids, and tons of treble detail – everything I think defines an audiophile. earphones. The app also offers a five-band equalizer that audiophiles can use to adjust the headphones so that they’re a little closer to what they’re looking for; However, this EQ may not be as detailed as you expected.

The Focal Bathys headphones have a sleek design.

As you’d expect from audiophile headphones, they have a few features that are suitable for superior solution sound. Notably, the headphones have an express USB-DAC mode that allows users to achieve 24-bit/192kHz sound on a stressed connection. This means you can stream Bluetooth-quality audio on the go and a much better audio solution when you can listen through a stressed connection.

These are audiophile headphones: almost everything, audio, comes in second. The headphones are comfortable, but not as comfortable as my other options. They have smart noise cancellation, but they’re not as smart as Bose or Sony. They have counterfeit features like multipoint Bluetooth, but they don’t have as many features as Bose or Sony. For most audiophiles, this probably isn’t a big deal; Audio quality is more vital than anything else.

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The Apple AirPods Max are wonderful earbuds, and while they’re expensive, if you’re willing to pay for them and are deeply rooted in the Apple ecosystem, they’re a wonderful choice.

My wife and I most often use Apple devices, so AirPods Max are the headphones I use every day. The explanation is simple: they automatically connect to each and every device I use, which is much more than what the dual-connection Bluetooth multipoint generation does. Admit. I use them daily with an iPhone and Mac Studio. At least a couple of times a week, I also use them with an Apple TV 4K. Every once in a while, I use them with a MacBook Pro and when my 4-month-old daughter was in her first few weeks, I used them several times with a second Apple TV 4K in the bedroom. I appreciated that I didn’t have to go through the login settings, even though it was my first time using them. with a specific device: If the device signed in to my iCloud account, it would be signed in without any problems.

The Apple AirPods Max are my engine, but you may find that their battery life is longer.

The AirPods Max also sound excellent, providing a very spacious sound, with deep bass and amazing clarity at the high-end. Apple probably wouldn’t let me replace this sound with an equalizer, but I didn’t feel like doing it that much. Like I did with other headphones. The noise cancellation of the AirPods Max is also excellent, not as impressive as that of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, but very close. And the transparency mode is natural and clear, unlike many competitors.

The earbuds are very well built and have an amazing design. Most of the exterior of the headphones is made of stainless steel, which contributes to their sleek, timeless, and unique look. However, this also makes them very heavy. They distribute weight very well on the top of your head and I wear them for hours without much trouble. However, you may feel that extra weight from time to time.

The biggest challenge with those headphones? They have a short battery life of just 20 hours, something that some users may even struggle to achieve. A lot of this is because you can’t turn them off unless you put them in a very minimalist case. In low-force mode when you’re not using them, they may not work. Do not be in powerless mode.

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You don’t want to pay a lot for counterfeit headphones: the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 headphones offer counterfeit audio quality and useful features for only about $100 (and even less when on sale). Of course, you may not get the same quality. and features like you would with much more expensive earbuds, but you might be surprised at how close you can get to them.

The earbuds have a slightly reasonable build and necessarily maximum comfort, but they’re still more comfortable than the others I’ve tested. And they sound pretty smart, with decent bass reaction, solidly tuned mids and smart reaction at the high end. for headphones in its price range. You can also adjust the audio to your preference: the app offers an eight-band equalizer, which is great for headphones in all price ranges.

The Anker Soundcore Life Q35 earbuds feature plush earbuds and push-button controls.

Speaking of the app, the headphones also offer some useful features. They feature forged noise cancellation and support multipoint Bluetooth, allowing you to connect to up to two devices simultaneously. There are a lot of features beyond that, but those are the fundamental features to expect from a wonderful pair of wireless earbuds.

Again, if you can spend more, get a better experience, but for those capped at around $100, the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 earbuds actually have a lot to offer.

While those winners easily stood out as the most productive of the most productive, I eliminated 20 other wireless earbuds that didn’t end up taking the top spot. Here are the other headphones I tried that deserve your attention, along with a brief review of why. They didn’t make the cut.

Sony WH-1000XM5 ($328 on Amazon): This list may have started off smoothly with these headphones as the overall best option. The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are perfect and you probably won’t regret buying them. The explanation for why they didn’t earn the name is the fact that they’re not as comfortable, don’t sound as neutral, and don’t have as smart ANC as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones. However, they are very close and have a longer battery life and more features in the Sony Headphones Connect app.

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless ($290 on Amazon): These earbuds sound as smart or better than Sony and Bose earbuds, and they also have longer battery life. However, the noise-canceling generation is so smart and not as comfortable to use. for long periods of time.

The four Sennheiser Momentum wireless earbuds sound great, lacking full noise cancellation.

JBL Tour One M2 ($300 on Amazon): These headphones sound wonderful and have a relatively comfortable fit, not as comfortable as my most sensible choice. Plus, they use the perfect JBL headphone app, which gives the most productive equalizer I’ve ever noticed on customers’ headphones. However, while they sound wonderful, they don’t sound as smart as Bose and Sony headphones.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones ($249 on Amazon): These headphones have fallen into no man’s land in terms of categories. They have an ANC more or less comparable to the first option, but they don’t sound as unbiased or perform as impressively. a build quality. That said, those looking for mid-range headphones that can cost up to $250 instead of $200 deserve to opt for them over the JBL Live 770NC headphones pictured above.

Sony ULT Wear ($178 on Amazon): I have a love/hate relationship with those headphones. They have some of the features and convenience points that other people (myself included) love about Sony headphones, but I find the extra bass makes them more appealing. muddy than powerful, especially when you press the extra bass button that comes with them. That said, they have smart battery life and are convenient.

Sennheiser Accentum Plus ($200 on Amazon): These headphones have just the right battery life and sound just as smart as the JBL headphones that won in the most productive mid-range category. However, they don’t have the same features, adding the amazing equalizer. presented through JBL.

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Sony WH-CH720N ($98 on Amazon): These headphones are great budget options, but they have a retail price of $150, so they can’t compete in the higher budget category. That said, if you find them for under $100, they’re a little more wonderful than the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 earbuds, thanks to them having a more wonderful and intuitive app.

Beats Studio Pro ($250 on Amazon): The Beats Studio Pro headphones are bad headphones, but they don’t really compete in terms of value. They don’t sound as smart as others in their price diversity and as comfortable.

Anker Soundcore Life Q30 ($56 on Amazon): These earbuds are bad for the price and don’t actually sound bad. They also work with the Soundcore app, which isn’t bad either. However, they are not as comfortable and do not sound. as smart as my cheapest option.

Anker Soundcore Space One ($79 on Amazon): The Anker Soundcore Space One headphones aren’t great either, but they don’t sound as smart and comfortable as my pick for the best budget headphones.

Anker Soundcore Space Q45 ($150 on Amazon): The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 headphones were incredibly disappointing. They sound terrible, with overly emphasized mids, and that makes up for the fact that they have a forged battery life and a pretty comfortable fit.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20 ($50 on Amazon): These headphones have also fallen behind when it comes to categories. They’re decent for the price, but they don’t sound as smart as my pick for the best budget headphones. and they don’t work with the Soundcore app, limiting its functionality.

Technics EAH-AZ80 ($298 on Amazon): They almost earned the name of the most productive wireless earbuds and it took a few days of deliberation and specialized consultation to make the decision. Ultimately, while the Technics EAH-AZ80 headphones sound as smart as the Nothing Ear headphones, they’re not as comfortable and the app that comes with them is rarely as easy to navigate and they don’t look as cool. They have longer battery life and their noise-canceling generation is just as smart. However, they charge about double the value of the Nothing Ear earbuds.

Sony WF-1000XM5 ($248 on Amazon): These headphones have been a bit of a disappointment for me. They’re not bad, they have smart battery life and a comfortable fit. I don’t like its controls though, the feel and sound are solid. depending on their position in your ears. While they sounded great, they didn’t sound great, like some of the other features on this list. Its noise cancellation was higher than that of the Nothing Ear and Technics EAH-AZ80, but not as smart as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones.

Apple AirPods Pro (second generation) ($190 at Amazon): The Apple AirPods Pro are great headphones, and for those who use Apple devices exclusively, the features they offer might be enough to make them more appealing than my best. choose. They don’t sound as good, but they’re very comfortable and, as mentioned, offer a huge diversity of Apple-centric features.

Nothing Ear ($99 on Amazon): These are my favorite earbuds under $100, but there wasn’t a category for them in this roundup. They look a lot more expensive than they are and offer a solid feature set, especially for headphones. in its value range. They are also very comfortable and look great.

The Nothing Ear(a) headphones only sound great, but they also look great.

Jabra Elite 10 ($226 on Amazon): These are wonderful headphones, with excellent audio quality and a solid build. In the end, they lost issues because they’re not as comfortable as my most sensible choice when it comes to wireless earbuds, and their noise-canceling generation is rarely that good.

To check the listening experience of the earbuds, I paired them with my Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and rated the music streamed from Apple Music. In particular, I listened to music from AC/DC, Betty Who, and Jay-Z. representing a diversity of other types of music with other sound characteristics.

When listening to music, he would compare the sound of the bass, mids, and treble individually, paying close attention to the main points of the treble and the extent of the bass that allowed the bass to appear deep and thick. I also looked at all the apps that are designed for headphones and how those apps allow users to adjust the audio according to their preferences. Some have very complex EQs, while others are much more basic.

I also tested the noise cancellation of the headphones that featured it, in a variety of other configurations, and used each pair of headphones for at least a few hours to assess how comfortable they would be during extended listening sessions. Comfort is rarely overlooked. However, it’s perhaps the most important thing for sound quality.

In addition to sound quality, noise cancellation, and comfort, I looked at design and build quality, wireless features like the number of devices a pair of headphones can connect to, app design, and more. characteristics. also the battery life of the headphones and the charging generation they offer.

I rigorously tested more than 20 popular and best-selling headphones from a variety of manufacturers, in a wide variety of environments and situations. I am a long-time audiophile and have a background in music production. I have a degree in music generation and I have to be attentive when judging the audio material. I have over a decade of experience in customer generation and have reviewed headphones for publications like BGR, Business Insider, Digital Trends, and more. I was also editor-in-chief of the now-stagnant site HeadphoneReview. com.

During testing, I consulted with three experienced music makers, including Michael Orland, associate music director of American Idol; Drew Ryan Scott, singer, songwriter and multi-platinum music producer; and Gabe López, singer, songwriter and producer of many renowned artists. We’ve looked at the key features they’re looking for when opting for headphones, and those 3 experts have provided a review of the most important features for listening to music the way you want to listen to a wireless earbud that’s designed for everyday use.

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